Thousands march to protest chemical plant in Xiamen

On June 1st, thousands of people marched in protest in Xiamen, a port city located in the eastern province of Fujian. Local residents were urging the government to scrap construction plans for a proposed chemical plant. Protesters carried banners and shouted "protect our home, protect Xiamen!"

The proposed plant would produce P-xylene, a petrochemical used to make polyester and other fabrics. Demand for chemicals such as p-xylene is soaring as China's export-driven manufacturing industries expand.

“The march was orderly and we believe it was successful,” said one of the protesters to RFA Cantonese Service.